Mendez-Torres takes checkered flag at Tri-County Speedway

Tri-County Speedway in Hudson hosted the Sunbelt Xpress 280 in front of a packed grandstand on Saturday, Aug. 29, with drivers from eight different divisions taking part in the event.

Seventeen-year-old Mexican sensation Diego Mendez-Torres started from the pole and led all 75 laps en route to taking the checkered flag in the Late Model race. The win was Mendez-Torres’ first at Tri-County as he finished ahead of runner-up Hudson Sharp, 2025 track champion Landon Huffman in third, Cameron Bolin in fourth, and Ryan Zima in fifth.

Additionally, the sixth- through 10th-place finishers in the aforementioned race were Slade Parsons, points leader Charlie Watson, Kaeden Ballos, Nathan Quella, and former NASCAR Cup Series winner Jeremy Mayfield.

In the 50-lap Limited Late Model feature, Chase Pollard and Owen Wilson bumped into each other on the first lap and caused a chain reaction that ended the night for them and three other drivers — Clarkson Hagan, Ethan Tovo, and Kenneth Pardue. When the race resumed, pole sitter Jackson Tovo paced the field for six laps before Vincent Arthur passed him for the lead and ultimately held on for the victory.

Jake Freeman finished just behind Arthur, while Jackson Tovo settled for third, points leader Walter Jenkins IV finished fourth, Coleman Chapman came in fifth, and 11-year-old Konner Leicht took sixth to equal his career-best finish.

Shelton Clay won the 50-lap Outlaw feature ahead of Dakota Slagle and David Messer in second and third, respectively, with Jonah Cullen finishing fourth and Danny Knoll Jr. rounding out the top five.

The 35-lap Street Stock race was won by John Reynolds, who passed eventual runner-up Mike Hatton on the 20th lap and led the rest of the way. Furthermore, pole sitter Terrence Tucker came in third, Kyle Jenkins took fourth, and Landon St. Clair finished fifth.

“I had made plans to go crappie fish today, but this morning I got the itch to go racing,” said Reynolds, a Connelly Springs native. “Called up all the guys that help on the car, and before lunch we were heading to the track. I can’t thank all of my crew enough for all of their hard work. It takes a team to win races.”

The Renegade feature was a battle of attrition, as Sherlyn Best led the opening two laps before being black flagged for smoke coming off his No. 67 car. Kyle Dubeau took over the lead, but he was also sent off the track on lap four for the same reason. Meanwhile, Martin Gunter and Klint Townsend crashed later on lap four while battling for the lead, taking the pair out of contention.

Jordan Layne inherited the lead and stayed out front until 62-year-old Junior Franks, competing in his first race in over a decade, passed him and held on for the win. However, during the post-race inspection, Franks’ No. 1 car was disqualified for being 75 pounds light, so Layne was awarded the victory.

Joshua Gunter was the runner-up behind Layne, while Cody DeMarmels finished third, Daniel Knight came in fourth, and Shawn Thomson took fifth.

Jason Garwood won the crash-filled Carolina Mini Stock feature, which consisted of 25 laps, while Jamison Whittington was second and Brian Mundy finished third. And in the Crown Vic feature, Todd Bradbury was the winner, RJ Williams came in second, and Dominic Morlando was the third-place finisher.

Finally, the Carolina Vintage main event was won by Dee McCall, with Jesse Martin taking second.

Tri-County hosts weekly action again tonight (Saturday, Sept. 5), while the ASA STARS National Tour invades the track on Wednesday, Sept. 9, and will feature multiple NASCAR Cup Series drivers. Then on Saturday, Sept. 12, the CARS Tour makes its annual stop for 225 laps of action.

HorsePower Park will also host an event tonight, as will Hickory Motor Speedway, which will be the site of the 50th annual Bobby Isaac Memorial at HMS.